What is wind shear? Wind shear is the difference in wind speed or direction over a fairly short distance in the atmosphere. It is typically described as either vertical or horizontal.

What is wind shear? An atmospheric scientist explains how it can disrupt air travel and tear apart hurricanes By Zachary Handlos, Georgia Institute of TechnologyUpdatedMay 29, 2024 11:04 a.m.

The shear typically must be 20 knots or less for intensification to occur. Most instances of rapid intensification of hurricanes occur when the wind shear is 10 knots or less.

As it moves toward Louisiana, Tropical Storm Francine will be stifled as it is buffeted by an upper-level disturbance. That system is expected to cause "vertical shear," a difference in wind speed ...

Wind shear is a term that comes up often when tracking tropical storms and hurricanes but it’s not a readily-understood term.

Vertical wind shear can keep tropical storms in check, particularly during El Niño years. When El Niño is gone, it’s a different story.